Burney celebrates 104 years of life in Columbus County

By WALLYCE TODD
Staff Writer

Bessie Burney is one of those people who gives more than she takes. Even at 104 years old and residing at Premiere Living and Rehabilitation Center in Lake Waccamaw, she still garners the attention that one only receives if she has spent over a century blessing those around her.

What 88-year-old Lillian Peterson of Bolton remembers most distinctively about the life of her dear friend, Bessie, is: “She was the kindest, most thoughtful person almost that you could find. She took care of her family.”

Bessie’s niece, Virginia “Gingi” Waldrop of Elizabethtown, experienced the truth of Bessie’s familial love. Gingi recollects that her Aunt Bessie “was a hardworking woman. I’ve always called her a saint.

“She cared for her mother until she died. She cared for her husband’s mother until she died. She cared for her husband until he died in 1955 (he had a stroke while hunting; his dog led a stranger to where he lay ill in the woods). She cared for an older sister until she went into the nursing home. Then, a widowed brother (and veteran of WWII) moved in with her, and she took care of him until he passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack (when he was about to go hunting with friends).”

Gingi, whose husband served in the Marine Corp, continued: “My mom was terminally ill – and Aunt Bessie took care of Mom until the school year was over and I could take over. We lost Mom (Bessie’s sister) about a month later.” Gingi was a paraprofessional at Camp Lejuene’s dependent school, and she wasn’t easily able to care for her mom during the school year, so Bessie did what she has spent her life doing – she stepped in, worked hard and took care of the needs of those around her.

Mrs .Bessie and her husband Walter did not have any children, yet that did not limit their thinking of others…in fact, it seemed to increase it. Gail Smith of Lake Waccamaw met Mrs. Bessie via First Baptist Church’s visitation program. The two women, separated by nearly a half century in age, have become good friends in the last four years or so. During their visits and through talking to others who know and love Bessie Burney, Gail has gathered stories about the Burneys’ kindness.

Gail noted that during the depression, Mr. Walter worked at Council Tool, where they didn’t want to lay off any workers if they could help it, so the employees worked one week and were off one week, and they rotated which weeks different crews worked, so that everyone possible could stay employed.

She also said something specific about how Mrs. Bessie helped the hungry during that time of economic hardship. “She always kept eggs, sausage and grits in her kitchen.” During the Depression, people would come by looking for work, so they could earn money to eat. While she didn’t have a job to give them, Gail said “Many, many times she would fix a sandwich for them or give them eggs and sausage. She was always doing for other people.”

Gail stated that Mrs. Bessie considered herself “blessed” so she wanted to bless other people. All the way until she was 102, she crocheted a number of blankets on her own to give to people around the area. Gail even has a “red, white and blue” afghan on her bed at home, handcrafted by Mrs. Bessie.

Carolyn Wayne, whose mother-in-law was Mrs. Bessie’s first cousin, said: “Mrs. Bessie is a wonderful lady. She and my mother-in-law did a lot of handwork. Bessie tatted for many years. She also made handspun curtains. Every one of those curtains had tatting on it.”

Carolyn, Gail, Gingi and many others have heard the story of Mrs. Bessie’s efforts during WWII. Carolyn said: “She knitted gloves (for soldiers) during WWII. She even taught (others) how to knit the gloves, which included how to not knit the finger that pulled the trigger. They also rolled bandages during that time.”

Bessie and Walter Burney owned Burney’s service station and grocery store in the Wananish area for a number of years.

Mrs. Bessie always treated people kindly and she knew how to be the soul of discretion when it was warranted. Later, she worked at Mann’s Department Store, not retiring until she was in her 70s, as Gingi remembers.

Carolyn recalled how when she was a young girl, Mrs. Bessie was always so neatly presented. “She’s a special person, very special. I’ve always admired her. She was one of the neatest, kindest ladies. I always thought that growing up.

“She always liked to read and always liked her sweet gum (dipping snuff). She was very particular, though. She wouldn’t let you see it,” Carolyn said as she smiled in recollection.

Gail agreed that Mrs. Bessie loved to read and “she loves to joke and cut up. She can (still) read large print library books. Up until recently, she read the Wilmington Star and The News Reporter every day. She lived alone until a couple of months ago.”

Gail continued: “Mrs. Bessie cut her grass with a push mower until she was 80. She’s always been so independent. She didn’t want anyone to wait on her because she’s used to waiting on other people.”

Gail also noted that Mrs. Bessie lived on the same tract of land for 103 years.

She was born there, lived there during her marriage, took care of all her family members from there and just moved to Premiere Living and Rehabilitation Center in mid-November 2006.

Gennie Parnell is the administrator at Premiere Living. During the birthday party the center gave for Mrs. Bessie on Jan. 30, Gennie said it was very meaningful to have a 104-year-old resident staying with them. “It’s exciting. It’s wonderful to see the history she’s able to share with us (by her life and through her friends who come to visit).”

Sarah Smith’s family was neighbors of the Burneys for many years. “Mrs. Bessie’s always been good as gold to me,” Sarah stated. “She’ll do anything in the world for ya’. She’d shell my butterbeans and my peas.”

Sarah recalled: “She always had a garden and her own personal small boat, and she’d go to Big Creek and go fishing.”

Carolyn picked up where Sarah left off. Her family also lived nearby. “All of us were just one big family, all connected in one way or another. We were neighbors and family. The men would all hunt together, and the women would gather and cook together.”

Lillian’s daughter, Elizabeth Peterson Kelly, lives with her mother in Bolton. She holds Mrs. Bessie in high regard and cares a great deal for her. “Bessie knew no age. From children right on, she had lots of young friends.”

Mrs. Bessie’s memory has begun to fail as dementia and Alzheimer’s are taking a stronger hold in these last six months.

However, her friends remember with fondness and admiration her many good deeds and positive expressions through the years.

Gail remembered one conversation with Mrs. Bessie in particular.

It seems to best sum up Mrs. Bessie’s philosophy and the life she has lived for more than a century in Columbus County. According to Gail, Mrs. Bessie had a memorable reply when asked what she accredited for staying so young at heart even at her advanced age.

Mrs. Bessie replied: “Well, first of all, God. He’s always been good to me. And then, there’s loving people and caring for them. For me, it’s also hard work. I believe in working and loving and caring for people.”

That’s a sound philosophy. If more people reflected the truth of Mrs. Bessie’s words, the world would be a better place.